Controlled wetting unit for dolls

ABSTRACT

A controlled wetting unit for a doll in which a reservoir adapted to receive liquid introduced into the doll&#39;&#39;s mouth is provided with a tube extending vertically to adjacent the top of the reservoir in the prone or feeding position of the doll to prevent liquid from reaching a check valve connecting the reservoir to a squeeze bulb until the level of water is adjacent to the top of the reservoir thus to prevent premature wetting and in which the tube in the vertical position of the doll extends generally horizontally along the bottom of the reservoir to permit the bulb first to be squeezed and then released to draw liquid from the reservoir into the bulb and then to be squeezed to force the liquid outwardly through a flow control valve to a tube leading to the wetting orifice until the reservoir is substantially empty.

United States Patent 91 Hollingsworth et al.

[ Oct. 8, 1974 1 CONTROLLED WETTING UNIT FOR DOLLS [75] Inventors:Charles M. Hollingsworth, West Columbia; Witold W. Kosicki, Columbia,both of SC.

[73] Assignee: Horsman Dolls, Inc., Columbia, SC.

[22] Filed: June 21, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 372,279

[52] US. Cl 46/116, 46/135 A, 46/141 [51] Int. Cl A63h 3/24 [58] Fieldof Search 46/116, 135 A, 141

718,234 111932 France ..46/141 1,084,950 7/1954 France 46/135A PrimaryExaminer-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-Robert F. Cutting Attorney,Agent, or FirmShenier & OConnor [57] ABSTRACT A controlled wetting unitfor a doll in which a reservoir adapted to receive liquid introducedinto the dolls mouth is provided with a tube extending vertically toadjacent the top of the reservoir in the prone or feeding position ofthe doll to prevent liquid from reaching a check valve connecting thereservoir to a squeeze bulb until the level of water is adjacent to thetop of the reservoir thus to prevent premature wetting and in which thetube in the vertical position of the doll extends generally horizontallyalong the bottom of the reservoir to permit the bulb first to besqueezed and then released to draw liquid from the reservoir into thebulb and then to be squeezed to force the liquid outwardly through aflow control valve to a tube leading to the wetting orifice until thereservoir is substantially empty.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures CONTROLLED WETTING UNIT FOR DOLLS BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION There are known in the prior art wetting dolls whichare adapted to wet in response to liquid introduced into the dolls bodythrough its mouth. In some of these dolls the wetting mechanism consistsmerely of a tube connecting an orifice at the mouth to a wettingorifice. Such dolls have generally not proved to be appealing orsatisfactory since no control whatever over the wetting action isprovided.

In an attempt to overcome the problem outlined above, there has beendeveloped a controlled wetting unit for dolls in which a reservoirsupported within the dolls torso is adapted to receive and store liquidintroduced into the dolls mouth. This controlled wetting doll further isprovided with a manually actuatable pump adapted to be operated by thechild to draw liquid from the reservoir and to force the liquid drawnfrom the reservoir through a flow control valve to a tube leading to thewetting orifice. While this controlled wetting unit represents asignificant advance in the art over a wetting doll where no control overthe wetting is provided, the controlled wetting unit itself involves asignificant defect.

Liquid introduced into the mouth orificeof the doll described aboveusually is achieved by employing a squeeze bottle which is actuated toforce liquid from the bottle into the mouth of the doll. After eachsqueezing operation the bottle is released to permit air to enter intothe bottle for the next squeezing operation. The difficulty with thisarrangement in the controlled wetting units of the prior art is thatliquid forced into the reservoir as the feeding bottle is squeezed maybe driven past the check valve and into the pump squeeze I bulb and pastthe control valve so that premature wetting takes place. That is to say,the doll may wet while being fed rather than waiting until the controlunit squeeze bulb is actuated. Thus, the purpose of the control unit isdefeated.

We have invented a controlled wetting unit for a doll which overcomesthe defects of controlled wetting units of the prior art. Our controlunit effectively places wetting under the control of the child. Itprevents premature wetting. It is relatively simple in construction forthe result achieved thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of our invention is to provide acontrolled wetting unit for a doll which overcomes the defects ofwetting units of the prior art.

Another object of our invention is to provide a controlled wetting unitfor a doll which effectively puts the wetting operation under thecontrol of the child.

A further object of our invention is to provide a controlled wettingunit for a doll which prevents premature wetting.

Other and further objects of our invention will appear in the followingdescription.

In general, our invention contemplates the provision of a controlledwetting unit for a doll in which a reservoir supported on the dollstorso is adapted to receive liquid introduced into a mouth orifice inresponse to operation of a squeeze bottle and is provided with a tubewhich, in the prone or feeding position of the doll, extends generallyvertically to adjacent the top of the reservoir to prevent liquid fromreaching a check valve connecting the reservoir to the pump squeeze bulbuntil the liquid has reached a predetermined level and in which the tubein the vertical or wetting position of the doll extends along what isthe bottom of the reservoir in that position to permit the bulb to besqueezed and released to draw liquid from the reservoir into the bulband to permit the bulb to be squeezed again to force liquid drawn fromthe reservoir outwardly through a flow control valve to a tube leadingto the wetting orifice with these operations being repeated until thereservoir is substantially empty.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings whichform part of the instant specification and which are to be read inconjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used toindicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a doll provided with our controlledwetting unit with the doll shown in the prone or feeding position.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a doll provided with our controlledwetting unit with the doll shown in the vertical or wetting position.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of our controlled wetting unit for a doll.

FIG. 4 is a bottom elevation of the controlled wetting unit illustratedin FIG. 3 taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3. i FIG. 5 is a sectionalview of our controlled wetting unit for a doll.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of our controlled wetting unitfor a doll taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of our controlledwetting unit for a doll.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, adoll, indicated generally by the reference character 10 which may beprovided with our controlled wetting system, includes a torso l2, arms,one arm 14 of which is shown, legs, one leg 16 of which is shown, and ahead 18. Our controlled wetting unit, indicated generally by thereference character 20, is mounted in the back 22 of the torso 12 by anysuitable means known to the art such, for example, as by adhering theassembly in an opening in the back.

An inlet tube 24 connects the mouth orifice 26 of the dolls head 18 tothe unit 20. A squeeze bottle 28 filled with a suitable liquid such aswater or the like is provided with a nipple 30 adapted to be inserted inthe orifice 26. When the bottle is squeezed liquid from the bottle isforced into the tube 24 through the mouth orifice 26. When the squeezebottle is released air enters the bottle to permit it to expand for thenext operation.

An outlet tube 32 leads from the unit 20 to a wetting orifice 34. Aswill be explained more fully hereinbelow in response to actuation of thewetting unit liquid which theretofore was introduced into the tube 24through the orifice 26 is forced out through orifice 34.

The unit 20 includes a reservoir body 36 having a base 38 formed with afirst recess 40 extending in one direction across the base 38. We formthe recess 40 with an inlet hole 42 leading into a pipe 44 extendinginto the reservoir 36. A second or outlet hole 46 in the base of recessprovides communication between an outlet pipe 48 formed on the base 38and the space outside the reservoir body 36.

We form the base 38 with respective slots 50 and 52 offset from thecenter of the base and leading into recess 40. A passage forming member54 is adapted to be inserted in the space formed by the recess 40 and toform passages leading from the respective openings 42 and 46 to thetubes 24 and 32. Respective tabs 56 and 58 formed on the member 54 areadapted to engage the base 38 alongside the edges of recess 40 to permitthe member 54 to besecured in place by use of a suitable adhesive or thelike.

Member 54 comprises an inlet fitting 60 adapted to receive the tube 24and formed with a passage 62 leading into a connecting passage 64containing'the opening 42. In this way communication is provided betweenthe interior of the reservoir 36 and the tube 24. Member 54 also isformed with an outlet fitting 66 adapted to receive the tube 32 andprovided with a passage 68 leading into a connecting passage 70 inmember 54 to provide communication between the outlet pipe 48 and thetube 32. g

The assembly 20 further includes a valve support 72 formed with ashoulder 74 adapted to be received by the upper edge of the reservoir36. Any suitable means such as an adhesive may be employed to hold theparts in their assembled condition. A bulb 76 formed from a suitablematerial such as synthetic rubber or the like is provided with aperipheral flange 78 adapted to be received by the upper surface of thevalve support 72 and adapted to be held in assembled relationshiptherewith by means of a retainer 80 formed with a base 82 adapted toengage the upper surface of the flange 78 and formed with an opening 84through which the bulb 76 extends. A dependent annular flange 86surrounding the base 82 extends downwardly into a recess 88 in the valvesupport 72.

In the assembled position of the parts, an annular flange 90 at theperiphery of the member 82 is adapted to engage the upper edge of thevalve support 72. This flange 90 together with a plurality of taperedlugs 91 spaced circumferentially around the valve support 72 form arecess for receiving a portion of the dolls torso around an openingtherein for receiving the assembly 20 thus to hold it in position on thedolls body. Locating lugs 93 may be provided for cooperation withnotches in the opening in the dolls back properly to orient the assembly20.

We secure an inlet passage forming member 92 to the underside of thevalve support plate 72 at one location thereof. Member 92 includes aninlet fitting 94 which receives a tube 96 extending from the fitting 94toward the base 38 of the reservoir 36. This member 92 includes achannel 98 in the upper surface thereof leading to a siphon chamber 100formed in the member 92. A partition 102 formed on the base of thesupport 72 overlies the channel 98 to form a passage therewith providingcommunication between the interior of the flexible tube 96-and thechamber 100.

We form the base 104 of the valve support 72 with a check valve chamber106 overlying the chamber 100. The chamber 106 includes an inlet opening108 the upper end of which is surrounded by a seat 110 adapted to beengaged by a valve which may, for example, be a disc 112 of syntheticrubber or-th e like. A disc retainer 114 positioned in chamber 106 overthe valve 112 has a passage 116 therein which communicates with theinterior of the bulb 72.

Base 104 also includes an outlet valve chamber 118 the lower end ofwhich is formed with an outlet pipe 120 adapted to telescope within pipe48 when the various parts are assembled. A solid post 122 extendingupwardly from the bottom of the chamber 118 receives a sleeve 124 offlexible material such, for example. as synthetic rubber. A plug 126assembled in the upper end of the chamber 118 is formed with a fitting128 adapted to receive the upper end of the tube 124.

Referring now to FIG. 7, we have shown an alternate embodiment of a dollincorporating our controlled wetting system. The assembly 20 of the formof our doll 130 is the same as that described hereinabove. Doll 130,however, includes a pair of eye sockets 132 which receive respectiveeyes 134. Moreover, rather than connecting the outlet tube 32 of thedoll 130 directly to the wetting orifice 34 we connect it to the inletport of a distributor 136 having three outlet ports. Respective tubes138 and 140 connect two of the outlet ports of distributor 136 to theinterior of the resepctive eye sockets 132. A tube 142 connects thethird outlet of the distributor to the wetting orifice 34.

In use of a doll l0 incorporating our controlled wetting unit 20, inorder to feed the doll it is laid in the prone position illustrated inFIG. land the nipple 30 of bottle 28 is inserted into the mouth orifice26. As the bottle is alternately squeezed and released, liquid will beforced from the bottle through the tube 24 and into the reservoir 36. Inthis position of the doll the tube 96 extends generally verticallyupwardly from the fitting 94 to a location adjacent to what is the topof the reservoir 36 in this position of the ,doll. Owing to thisarrangement, no liquid can enter the tube 96 until the reservoir is verynearly full. Thus, the pressure exerted on the bottle 28 in the courseof the feeding operation will not cause any liquid to be forced throughthe system including the check valve 112 and the outlet valve 124 toresult in premature wetting.

After the doll has been fed it is moved to the erect positionillustrated in FIG. 2. It will be seen that in this erect position thetube 96 is generally horizontally disposed and lies along what is thebottom of the reservoirin this position of the doll. The doll is nowready for a wetting operation. To accomplish this result bulb 76 issqueezed to force air outwardly through the space between sleeve 124 andpost 122. When the bulb is released it restores itself to its initialcondition by virtue of its inherent resilience. As the bulb thusrestores itself, water is drawn from the reservoir 36 through the tube96, through passage 94 and into siphon chamber 100 and past valve 112into the bulb. When the bulb next is squeezed, liquid therein is forcedoutwardly through fitting 128 and through the space between the sleeve124 and post 122. This arrangement provides a controlled flow of thewater outwardly through pipe 148 to tube 32 from whence it flows to thewetting orifice 34. This operation may be continued until the reservoiris substantially dry. It will readily be appreciated that, owing to thelocation of the tube 96, repeated operations will substantially emptythe reservoir. The arrangement of the form of doll 130 illustrated inFIG. 7

is substantially the same as that described hereinabove.

, However, when the bulb is squeezed after the initial fillingoperation, as water flows outwardly through tube 32 it is distributed byhead 136 to tubes 138, 140 and 142 so that as the doll wets it cries.

It will be seen that we have accomplished the objects of our invention.We have provided a controlled wetting unit for a doll which overcomesthe defects of controlled wetting units of the prior art. Our wettingunit prevents premature wetting. At the same time, it ensures that thereservoir is substantially empty upon repeated operations of the wettingsystem. It is extremely simple in construction for the result acheivedthereby. In an alternate embodiment of our controlled wetting unit thedoll cries as it wets.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of ourclaims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made indetails within the scope of our claims without departing from the spiritof our invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that our inventionis not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim l. A controlledliquid discharge unit for a doll including in combination, a doll torso,a doll head carried by said torso, said head being formed with a mouthorifice into which liquid can be introduced, one of said torso and saidhead being formed with a liquid discharge orifice, a housing having abase and an open end spaced from said base, a pump assembly comprisingan actuating element and an inlet valve and closure means formed with anopening communicating with said inlet valve, means mounting said pumpassembly on the open end of said housing to provide a liquid reservoirin said housing between said base and said closure means, elongatedpassage forming means connected to said inlet valve opening, saidelongated means extending from said inlet valve opening to a location insaid reservoir adjacent to said base, means mounting said housing onsaid torso with said elongated means'extending generally from front toback of said torso, means for conducting liquid from said mouth orificeto said reservoir, and means responsive to operation of said actuatingelement for pumping liquid from said reservoir to said liquid dischargeorifice.

2. A controlled liquid discharge unit as in claim I in which saidelongated means is positioned off center adjacent to a portion of theside wall of said housing and in which said side wall portion isadjacent to the bottom of said torso.

3. A controlled liquid discharge unit as in claim 2 in which saidactuating element is an externally accessible resilient bulb.

4. A controlled liquid discharge unit as in claim 3 in which said inletvalve is a check valve between said elongated means and the interior ofsaid bulb.

5. A controlled liquid discharge unit as in claim 4 in which saidactuating element responsive means includes a flow control valve betweenthe interior of said bulb and said discharge orifice.

6. A controlled liquid discharge unit as in claim 5 in which said flowcontrol valve comprises means forming a valve chamber, a solid post insaid chamber, a resilient sleeve, one end of said sleeve being receivedby said post, means including a fitting received by the other end ofsaid sleeve for conducting liquid from the interior of said bulb to theinterior of said sleeve, said chamber being formed with an outlet andmeans for conducting liquid from said outlet to said discharge orifice.

7. A controlled liquid discharge unit as in claim 1 in which said liquiddischarge orifice is a wetting orifice adjacent to the bottom of saidtorso.

8. A controlled liquid discharge unit as in claim 1 in which said liquiddischarge orifice is a tearing opening in said head.

9. A controlled liquid discharge unit as in claim 1 in which said liquiddischarge orifice is a wetting orifice adjacentto the bottom of saidtorso, said head being formed with a pair of tearing openings, said unitincluding means responsive to operation of said actuating ele ments forpumping liquid from said reservoir to said tearing openings.

1. A controlled liquid discharge uNit for a doll including incombination, a doll torso, a doll head carried by said torso, said headbeing formed with a mouth orifice into which liquid can be introduced,one of said torso and said head being formed with a liquid dischargeorifice, a housing having a base and an open end spaced from said base,a pump assembly comprising an actuating element and an inlet valve andclosure means formed with an opening communicating with said inletvalve, means mounting said pump assembly on the open end of said housingto provide a liquid reservoir in said housing between said base and saidclosure means, elongated passage forming means connected to said inletvalve opening, said elongated means extending from said inlet valveopening to a location in said reservoir adjacent to said base, meansmounting said housing on said torso with said elongated means extendinggenerally from front to back of said torso, means for conducting liquidfrom said mouth orifice to said reservoir, and means responsive tooperation of said actuating element for pumping liquid from saidreservoir to said liquid discharge orifice.
 2. A controlled liquiddischarge unit as in claim 1 in which said elongated means is positionedoff center adjacent to a portion of the side wall of said housing and inwhich said side wall portion is adjacent to the bottom of said torso. 3.A controlled liquid discharge unit as in claim 2 in which said actuatingelement is an externally accessible resilient bulb.
 4. A controlledliquid discharge unit as in claim 3 in which said inlet valve is a checkvalve between said elongated means and the interior of said bulb.
 5. Acontrolled liquid discharge unit as in claim 4 in which said actuatingelement responsive means includes a flow control valve between theinterior of said bulb and said discharge orifice.
 6. A controlled liquiddischarge unit as in claim 5 in which said flow control valve comprisesmeans forming a valve chamber, a solid post in said chamber, a resilientsleeve, one end of said sleeve being received by said post, meansincluding a fitting received by the other end of said sleeve forconducting liquid from the interior of said bulb to the interior of saidsleeve, said chamber being formed with an outlet and means forconducting liquid from said outlet to said discharge orifice.
 7. Acontrolled liquid discharge unit as in claim 1 in which said liquiddischarge orifice is a wetting orifice adjacent to the bottom of saidtorso.
 8. A controlled liquid discharge unit as in claim 1 in which saidliquid discharge orifice is a tearing opening in said head.
 9. Acontrolled liquid discharge unit as in claim 1 in which said liquiddischarge orifice is a wetting orifice adjacent to the bottom of saidtorso, said head being formed with a pair of tearing openings, said unitincluding means responsive to operation of said actuating elements forpumping liquid from said reservoir to said tearing openings.